Fenty’s 39th Birthday Bash All Set

Party down at the Old Mayoral Mansion site

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WASHINGTON - AUGUST 06: Washington D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty speaks during an announcement of a new partnership between the Department of Parks and Recreation and the United States Tennis Association during Day 4 of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center on August 6, 2009 in Washington, DC. Through the partnership the USTA will continue to expand their support for tennis programs across Washington D.C. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Two years ago, Fenty threw a grand, open-door party at the Washington Convention Center. A year ago, Fenty kicked off his re-election campaign with a massive fete at the Forest Hills home of local developer Chris Donatelli. This year, for Hizzoner's 39th, the birthday bash/campaign fundraiser will also take place at a tony, oversized residence. This one, however, isn't occupied by any developer.

In fact, it's vacant. The Dec. 5 event will be held at 1821 Hoban Road N.W., a 7,000-square-foot, six-bedroom model home built as part of the Residences at 1801 Foxhall, a development of 27 single-family homes in the upscale Ward 3 neighborhood.

According to an e-mail sent out to Fenty supporters, guests will "mingle in a signature Fenty outdoor tent" and can "do a dine-around on quick healthy bites of tacos, turkey chili or mac and cheese catered by On The Fly" -- the ex-business of Fenty transportation director Gabe Klein. Oh yes: "There will also be a large cache of Wine, Beer & Soft Drinks."

There is a slight bit of irony to the location: The 1801 Foxhall residences are being built on the site once proposed for a grand mayoral manse.

Potomac, Md., philanthropist Betty Brown Casey (widow of developer Eugene Casey and the name behind Casey Trees) had proposed donating the former Marjorie Merriweather Post estate to the city and building a grand residence thereupon, to be named Casey Mansion. She even bought some $2 million worth of furniture for the dwelling. Alas, after years of feuding with neighbors, activists, federal and local officials, Casey dropped the plan in 2003.